Barry calls for England calm

15 June 2010 08:25

Gareth Barry hopes he will be picked to start England's Group C game against Algeria on Friday after recovering from an ankle injury.
The Manchester City midfielder was forced to sit out the 1-1 draw against the USA with the injury he suffered during the Premier League defeat to Tottenham.
The former Aston Villa player said: "The mood in the camp is pretty upbeat. We've had a day or so to think about the events of the USA game. It's important you try to stay calm. Everyone knows this is the World Cup and the pressure comes with that.
"The whole nation is up for it, supporting you, giving fantastic support. But we'll be going into games, if selected, trying to keep calm, not feeling that pressure.
"Previous England squads would be more relaxed. Now everyone is ten minutes early for meetings. Everyone sits down to lunch together. We all leave when the last person has finished.
"The slowest eater always changes but there are always eyes on them saying 'hurry up.' It is fun because at the same time the manager lets us play golf and he gives us time to relax."
Meanwhile, Barry admits he was very impressed by Germany, who England could face in the last 16, when they thrashed Australia 4-0 in their opening Group D fixture on Sunday.
He added: "They are always written off and they turn up winning matches. The fact they could be our opponents in the last 16 was discussed.
"We are watching that group really close. It is important we study the opposition. It is an extra incentive to finish top. That is obviously the target anyway but Germany are going to be a tough opponent for anyone."